US sanctions Chinese-Fijian businessman Zhao Fugang

The United States government has sanctioned Chinese-Fijian businessman Zhao Fugang for his involvement in significant corruption on behalf of China-based actors. According to the US State Department, Zhao abused his public position by paying bribes to Fijian citizens to advance Chinese government, business, and criminal interests, which adversely affected US interests in Fiji.

The designation follows years of investigation by Western intelligence agencies. Zhao has been alleged to lead an organized crime syndicate that harms Australian security interests while working to increase Chinese Communist Party influence in Suva and the broader South Pacific.

Intelligence provided by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) reportedly informed the US decision. As a result of the sanctions, Zhao and his immediate family members are now generally ineligible for entry into the United States.